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Overview
In a historic triumph, South Africa’s cricket team has reached their first-ever men’s World Cup final by defeating Afghanistan convincingly in the first semifinal of the 2024 T20 World Cup held in Trinidad. This win marks South Africa’s entry into the final of an ICC men’s event for the first time since 1998, breaking a prolonged streak of semifinal exits.
The Match at a Glance
South Africa’s bowlers demolished Afghanistan’s batting lineup, restricting them to a mere 56 runs in 11.5 overs, their lowest total ever in T20 cricket. South Africa effortlessly chased down the target in just 8.5 overs, losing only one wicket and winning by nine wickets with 67 balls to spare.
Key Performers
- Marco Jansen: 3 wickets for 16 runs
- Kagiso Rabada: 2 wickets for 14 runs
- Anrich Nortje: 2 wickets for 7 runs
- Tabraiz Shamsi: 3 wickets, sealing Afghanistan’s tail
In chasing down the target, Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram guided South Africa with scores of 29* and 23* respectively.
Turning Point: The Toss
The game’s momentum was significantly influenced by the toss, where Afghanistan elected to bat first on a surface that had swing, seam, and bounce. South African pacers Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, and Anrich Nortje utilized these conditions brilliantly, resulting in Afghanistan struggling right from the start.
Afghanistan’s PowerPlay Struggles
- PowerPlay Score: 28/5 (RR: 4.67, 4s/6s: 4/0)
- Early Losses: Rahmanullah Gurbaz dismissed for a duck, and Gulbadin Naib fell soon after.
The early dismissals put Afghanistan on the back foot, and they could not recover. Kagiso Rabada’s double-wicket maiden further exacerbated Afghanistan’s woes.
Middle Overs Collapse
Despite a couple of boundaries from captain Rashid Khan, Afghanistan couldn’t counteract South Africa’s relentless attack, wrapping up with 28/5 in the middle phase with a run rate of 4.80, including three more crucial wickets from Shamsi.
South Africa’s Steady Chase
South Africa exhibited a clinical approach to the chase despite the pitch’s unpredictable nature. Quinton de Kock fell early, but Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks built a steady partnership to secure the win seamlessly.
- PowerPlay Score: 34/1 (RR: 5.67, 4s/6s: 5/0)
- Post-PowerPlay: 26/0 (RR: 9.17, 4s/6s: 3/1)
Markram and Hendricks navigated the chase with precision, completing the innings in just 17 balls after the PowerPlay.
Diverse Perspectives
While South Africa’s elation at breaking their semifinal curse is palpable, Afghanistan’s campaign doesn’t go unnoticed. Making it to the semifinals itself is a monumental achievement for Afghanistan, showing significant progress in their cricketing journey. Despite their semifinal exit, Afghanistan’s spirited performances in earlier matches won them many admirers.
South African Perspective
South African fans and players alike are overjoyed, seeing this win as a long-overdue breakthrough in global tournaments. This victory is viewed as a testament to their team’s skill and mental fortitude.
Afghan Perspective
For Afghanistan, this loss offers vital lessons but also marks a historic high in their cricket endeavors. They depart with the pride of having inspired many with their journey to the semifinals.
Looking Forward
South Africa now awaits the winner of the India-England clash in Guyana to determine their opponent in the final. As they prepare for the grand finale, both teams and fans alike reflect on a remarkable tournament that has showcased emerging talents and unforgettable moments.
This article aims to give a comprehensive overview of the historic semifinal match and its broader implications in both South African and Afghan cricket landscapes.
This detailed account of the match can be found on the live score on ICC’s website, which provided minute-by-minute updates during the match. Click here for full match details.
For further insights and analyses, stay tuned to updates from the T20 World Cup 2024.
Also know about the previous match: 1. Rashid Khan & Naveen-ul-Haq: Heroes Behind Afghanistan’s Semifinal Triumph! (AFG v/s BAN)
2. Rohit and Kuldeep Team Up to Secure India’s Spot in T20 Semis, Head’s Big Effort Not Enough! (IND v/s AUS)
3. South Africa Stumbles but Holds Off West Indies to Clinch Semifinal Spot! (SA v/s WI)
4. England’s Hat-trick Hero Jordan, with Rashid and Buttler, Demolish Opponents to Secure Semifinal Spot! (ENG v/s USA)
5. World Cup Shocker: Naib Leads Afghanistan to a Fairytale Victory! (AFG v/s AUS)
